In 1923, The Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom formed a branch in New Zealand and set about re-organising scouting according to its Policy, Organisation and Rules and establishing its Wolf Cubs and Rover programs.[3] The Boy Scouts Association's New Zealand branch was incorporated in 1941 as The Boy Scouts Association (New Zealand Branch), Incorporated which changed its name to The Boy Scouts Association of New Zealand in 1956 and then to The Scout Association of New Zealand in 1967. The Scout Association of New Zealand uses the name Scouts New Zealand.

In 1976, the first females became members of the Venturer section, on a trial basis. In 1979, females were formally admitted and the Venturer section became co-ed. In 1987, girls were formally admitted into the Scout section. This was followed by girls being admitted into the Kea and Cub programs in 1989.

The first New Zealand Jamboree, the New Zealand Exhibition Jamboree was held in Dunedin in the years 1925-6. An estimated 200 people attended. The next was held in Auckland in 1958-9. Since then they have been held every three years. The 21st New Zealand Jamboree will be held at Renwick Sports Ground, Marlborough, from 29 December 2015 to 7 January 2016.[5]

There have been 11 National Ventures in New Zealand. The 11th New Zealand Venture was held at Brookfield near Wellington from 1 to 11 January 2010, with Venture South 2013 being held at Riverton, Southland from 5 to 14 January 2013.

The next National Venture will be held in January 2016, held in and around Rotorua. Inferno2016 will be the 13th National Venture.

As of 2015, there have been 73 National Rover Moots in New Zealand. Moots are normally held locally and nationally once a year which are organised and run by Rovers. The 74th National Rover Moot (DecoMoot) is being held in Hawkes Bay over Easter weekend 2016.

Hutt Valley Gang Show - started in 1979. Although located in Lower Hutt, Scouts and Guides from across the greater Wellington Region are eligible to take part. The 2008 Gang Show celebrated NZ's Scouting and Guiding centenary with a history of the movements in New Zealand.[11]